Eight of the nine women whose bodies have been discovered across Ekurhuleni since July have now been identified, as police continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths and whether the cases are connected.
The latest developments have brought clarity to the identities of most of the victims, while the woman whose body was discovered in Villa Lisa, near Dawn Park, remains unidentified.
The identification of the latest victims follows weeks of anguish for families who have been searching for answers after the discovery of the bodies in different parts of Ekurhuleni.
Eight victims identified
Among those formally identified are:
Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, 38 — Moselakgomo disappeared after leaving her home in Rhodesfield, Kempton Park, for a routine run. Her eight-year-old daughter raised the alarm when she failed to return. Her body was discovered in Rhodesfield on 12 September and later identified by her family.
Itumeleng Kekana, 32 — Kekana was reported missing on 17 July. Her body was discovered in bushes near Great North Road in Pomona, Kempton Park, on 3 August. Earlier reports indicated that she had suffered multiple stab wounds. She was laid to rest in QwaQwa on 22 August.
Dineo Evelyn Motapane, 38 — Motapane’s body was discovered beside a road in KwaThema, Springs, on 15 September. Her family said she was last seen alive on 13 September and had not yet been reported missing when her body was found. Her relatives later identified her at the Springs Mortuary.
Gracious Nkomo, 28 — Nkomo was the third woman whose body was discovered in the Kempton Park area on 10 September. She was found partially clothed along the R21. Her family positively identified her at the Germiston Mortuary on 17 September.
The other four identified victims have not all had their identities and circumstances publicly detailed by police in the information currently available.
Villa Lisa victim remains unidentified
The ninth woman was discovered in Villa Lisa Extension 4, near Dawn Park, on 17 September.
Her body was initially believed to be that of 23-year-old Teballo Monamodi, after a person who viewed the body reportedly believed it was her.
However, Monamodi later returned home alive.
She said the deceased woman looked somewhat similar to her, which may have contributed to the mistaken identification.
The development means that the woman found in Villa Lisa remains unidentified.
Kurrently previously reported the mistaken identification and has withdrawn that identification following confirmation that Monamodi is alive.
Police continue to investigate
The discovery of nine women’s bodies has prompted intensified police investigations across Ekurhuleni.
Police have repeatedly cautioned against assuming that all the cases are connected. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding each death and the available forensic evidence to establish whether there are links between the cases.
A multidisciplinary team has been deployed to the investigation, with detectives and specialised police units working to establish what happened to each victim and identify those responsible.
The identification of eight of the nine women provides some families with answers about the identities of their loved ones.
But for the family of the woman found in Villa Lisa, one crucial question remains unanswered: Who is she?
